Library services will resume in Newtonhill from Wednesday 6 April, after a two-year closure.

Staff will be operating from a new base within the Bettridge Centre as part of partnership working.

Public browsing and the Click & Collect service (for those who would prefer to collect a bundle of pre-selected books) will be available twice a week on a Wednesday 3.30pm – 6pm and Friday 1pm – 3.30pm.

Bookings for Click & Collect can be made by calling the Live Life Aberdeenshire helpline on 01467 532929 or via the website https://livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/. The library team will also look at providing outreach activities in Newtonhill.

This could include Bookbug sessions, homework clubs, memories groups or whatever the community requires to meet its needs. This will be carried out as soon as there are additional staff in place.

The library service will be unable to provide public access computers in the new space at this time. They will review this if there is sufficient demand for the service.

Hearing aid batteries, food waste bags and other services will also be available to the public when they visit the new base: customers just need to ask the staff.

The former library building in the Coastal Park is in a sorry state and it has been a losing battle for years to try and keep it wind and water tight. Sadly, it is simply no longer fit for purpose. It was, after all, a temporary building.